Bioreactor Gas Feed Strategy for High-Rate Methane Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for converting hydrogen and carbon dioxide into methane suffer from low energy recovery rates, high production costs, and inefficiencies, limiting their economic viability and widespread applicability, especially when using renewable energy sources.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a reaction vessel with a gas feed rate of at least 1.2 vvm of hydrogen and carbon dioxide and an absolute pressure of at least 5.0 bar, optimized by controlling the partial pressure ratio of hydrogen to carbon dioxide, enhances volumetric productivity and methane concentration, using methanogenic microorganisms to produce methane efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional methods are used to convert hydrogen and carbon dioxide into methane, then the process can proceed with standard equipment, but the volumetric productivity and energy recovery rate remain low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by increasing the gas feed rate to at least 1.2 vvm and maintaining absolute pressure at least 5.0 bar, which significantly improves volumetric productivity and energy recovery rate compared to conventional low-pressure, low-feed-rate operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action by pre-mixing hydrogen and carbon dioxide in a specific ratio (at least 4:1 volumetric ratio) before introduction into the reactor, ensuring optimal conditions for methanogenic microorganisms to achieve high productivity from the start
2Productivity
If high gas feed rates are used to increase productivity, then volumetric productivity improves, but the risk of incomplete conversion and waste gas emission increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the composition of the gas mixture and adjusting operational parameters to maintain optimal conversion efficiency, ensuring that high feed rates do not lead to excessive energy loss through incomplete conversion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using a gas feed rate of at least 1.2 vvm (excessive compared to conventional methods) while compensating through pressure control and ratio optimization to ensure complete conversion, thereby achieving high productivity without significant energy loss
3Productivity
If the partial pressure ratio of hydrogen to carbon dioxide is not optimized, then the process is simpler to operate, but the methane concentration and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-mixing hydrogen and carbon dioxide in a specific volumetric ratio of at least 4:1 before introduction into the reactor, ensuring optimal partial pressure conditions for maximum methane production without requiring complex real-time adjustments during operation
4Object-affected harmful factors
If renewable energy sources are used to produce hydrogen and carbon dioxide, then environmental friendliness improves, but the overall energy recovery rate remains low due to conversion inefficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by maintaining continuous operation at high gas feed rates (at least 1.2 vvm) with optimized pressure and ratio conditions, ensuring that renewable energy inputs are continuously and efficiently converted to methane with minimal loss, achieving both environmental sustainability and high energy recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by operating at elevated pressure (at least 5.0 bar absolute) and high feed rates, which significantly improves the energy recovery rate of the conversion process, making renewable energy-based methane production economically and environmentally viable
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly increases the volumetric productivity and methane concentration, making the process economically feasible and environmentally friendly by utilizing renewable energy sources and recycling waste carbon dioxide, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Implementation Method 1
converting hydrogen and carbon dioxide into methane by methanogenic microorganisms
Implementation Method 2
a gas feed rate of at least 1.2 vvm of hydrogen and carbon dioxide and an absolute pressure of at least 5.0 bar
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a method and system for producing methane. The method comprises contacting methanogenic microorganisms in a reaction vessel with hydrogen and carbon dioxide, wherein the gas feed rate of hydrogen and carbon dioxide into the reaction vessel is at least 1 vvm in total or at least 1.2 vvm in total. The invention further provides a system for producing methane comprising at least one device for generating electric energy from a renewable and/or non-renewable energy source, at least one device for producing hydrogen and/or oxygen by the electrolysis of water and/or brine, and at least one bioreactor comprising a reaction vessel suitable for growing, fermenting and/or culturing methanogenic microorganisms and at least one device for providing a gas feed of hydrogen and carbon dioxide into the reaction vessel.